Consort Qing

Consort Qing (Chinese: 慶妃; pinyin: Qìng Fēi) was a noblewoman of the Han Chinese Zhang clan during the Qing dynasty. She was born on 25 October 1840 and died on 15 June 1885. Her family background includes her father Yuanhu, who served as a worker in the Imperial Gardens, and her paternal grandfather, also named Yuanhu, who held a similar position. She had one younger brother and one elder brother.

In 1853, Lady Zhang entered the Forbidden City as a palace maid in the Changchun palace. Two years later, in 1855, she was granted the title of Noble Lady Qing (庆贵人), which was a sixth rank consort position. At that time, she was known as one of the Four Spring Ladies (四春娘娘), alongside Noble Lady Lu, Noble Lady Ji, and Noble Lady Xi. As a noble lady, she was relocated to Chuxiu palace, where she resided with the future Empress Dowager Cixi. During the Xianfeng Emperor's reign, she did not have children.

In 1861, during the Tongzhi Emperor's reign, she was promoted to Concubine Qing (庆嫔), a fifth rank consort. In 1868, she moved to the Study of Happiness and Peace (吉安所), a residence previously occupied by Dowager Concubine Rong, where she lived with another consort, Xi.

Her final promotion occurred in 1875, when she became Consort Qing (慶妃), a fourth rank consort, during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor. Consort Qing passed away on 15 June 1885 and was interred at the Ding Mausoleum of the Eastern Qing tombs.

Throughout her life, her titles evolved as follows:

- During the Xianfeng Emperor's reign:

- Lady Zhang (from an unspecified date)

- Servant (from 1853)

- Noble Lady Qing (慶貴人; from 1855)

- During the Tongzhi Emperor's reign:

- Concubine Qing (慶嬪; from 1861)

- During the Guangxu Emperor's reign:

- Consort Qing (慶妃; from 1875)

Her life reflects the hierarchical structure of the imperial consorts in the Qing dynasty, with her rank advancing through the ranks of noble titles over her lifetime.